The Los Angeles Rams have undergone a facelift this offseason. After being crowned the Super Bowl champions of the 2021 season, they came crashing back down to Earth during their title defense season.
The Rams struggled mightily during the 2022 campaign as some unreal injury luck hit their roster. The offensive line was decimated by injuries and key contributors up and down the roster either found themselves on the sidelines or performing below career norms.
That led to general manager Les Snead having to make some drastic changes this offseason. Not only were the Rams short on salary cap space, but they were also lacking depth on the roster, courtesy of moves previously made.
The risk they took trading away draft capital to acquire established veterans to make a run at the Super Bowl did work, but they are now paying the consequences. This is a team that will be unrecognizable in some areas in 2023, as they are in the first season of a reset.
On defense is where many of those changes have occurred. Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins while Leonard Floyd and Bobby Wagner were released. A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Scott, Taylor Rapp, Greg Gaines and David Long all departed in free agency.
That is a lot of important pieces that need replacing in 2023 as plenty of players will have a chance to showcase their talents for the first time in their careers. But, with training camp only a few weeks away, there is certainly some more work that could be done.
It should be no surprise that the one move that ESPN NFL insider Field Yates has suggested for the Rams is to find help defensively. Specifically, bringing in multiple edge rushers to help bolster the team’s pass rush.
“The Rams’ defensive depth chart is nearly unrecognizable as compared to a few years ago — aside from Aaron Donald, of course — but the spot that stands out to me most is the edge group. Third-round rookie Byron Young projects to make an immediate impact, particularly as the team is bereft of experience at that spot. While the Rams’ defense doesn’t figure to be near the level it has been in recent seasons, if I were an unsigned pass-rusher looking to boost my value next offseason, I’d call L.A. Playing with Donald equates to favorable matchups on nearly every snap, and that could result in a bunch of sacks.”
We have seen opposing coaches scheme up formations that have Aaron Donald double and triple-teamed even when the Rams’ defense was loaded with talent. Lacking many household names, expect that to be the norm again in 2023.
Despite the offseason being in its final stages, numerous veteran pass rushers remain available in free agency that could help the Rams. Yannick Ngakoue leads the group, as he has recorded at least 8.0 sacks in all seven of his seasons in the NFL. Jason Pierre-Paul would bring some pass-rushing juice and Super Bowl experience to a young group.
Justin Houston, Jadeveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram would all fit the bill as experienced pass rushers as well. It would not be surprising if the Rams bring in at least one of those players to help take the pressure off of Donald and to be a mentor for the younger players on the team.
